22
QuizMultiple Choice

Unit Test — Cumulative exam

Question 22 • FL-2003310-Physical Science

Why do nuclear power plants use fission instead of fusion?

Answer
A
Scientists have not yet gotten a fusion reaction to happen on Earth.
B
Per gram of fuel, fission releases more energy than fusion.
C
The energy from fusion cannot yet be converted to electricity.
D
Fusion requires conditions that use too much energy to maintain.

Explanation

Fusion requires extremely high temperatures and pressure to overcome the repulsion between atomic nuclei. Maintaining those conditions in a controlled, sustained reaction that produces usable power remains a major challenge, so nuclear power plants currently use fission instead. Fusion has occurred on Earth, and it releases more energy per gram of fuel than fission, so A and B are not correct.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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